Cat tunnels for catio wanted

[Steve.]

Well here it is - don't be too rude about my woodworking skills as it's the first thing I've made like this!

 

Remove 10 screws and it can be flat-packed to save storage space.

 

Just need to make a weather protected area, add a feeder and drinker - and it's done for the POL's.

 

In this photo our existing flock is demonstrating how it works!

 

The double hinge on the side and on top will make getting in and grabbing high-speed chickens easy.

 

POL chooks will sleep overnight in the garage in a pet carrier.

 

 

 

My boy who loves it in there with the chooks! he took a lot of convincing to come out!

 

Okay you can be rude now ... comments please!

[Guest]

I'm impressed Steve! It looks great and I love the packawayability of it! Well done!

[Butty]

Hi there

Got 4 more chooks from Oak meadow Farm on Saturday . Already had 4 from Omlet in June. Was advised by Gail at the farm to shut existing chooks out to free range and put together at night. This was fine . Yesterday new chooks hid in cube, making occasional attempts to come down only to be chased back in . When all 4 existing chooks had laid I shut them out again, giving the newbies feeding time, and they came together again last night. Today very restless newbies as others hadn't laid and I couldn't shut them out so I have erected a net along the length of the run for the newbies and the existing chooks can get in to lay. I have a cube within a 9'x9' run.

Everyone seems ok just wondering what will happen tomorrow!!!!!!!

[Steve.]

That all sounds fine Steve, just make sure that the run has a secure skirt around the bottom. There are lots of examples in the run inspirations thread - a skirt of weld mesh with paving slabs over the back is the best solution.

 

As the run will be on the patio area for the week or two's introduction, and the run takes two strong adults to move (due to 26 meters of 5cm x 5cm wood) I should be okay without a skirt?

[Egluntyne]

I should be okay without a skirt?

[Steve.]

I should be okay without a skirt?

 

I might have known that'd be coming from you!

[Egluntyne]

I should be okay without a skirt?

 

I might have known that'd be coming from you!

 

How do you mean? *looks innocent*

[Steve.]

Picking the new girls up this weekend.

 

Have got the (chicken) runs in parallel so wish us luck.

[Egluntyne]

Good luck!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Just read this whole thread - I like your hand-built run, very impressive .

 

Good luck with your new girls .

[Seagazer]

Just caught up with this - I'm very impressed Steve. Good luck with your introductions and new girls

[Steve.]

Got our new girls - existing flock went bonkers lots of bokboking. After a couple of hours we clipped all the chooks wings ... both sides ... added some leg rings ... and let them freerange for a few hours. No problems - few pecks from the existing flock but no problems.

 

I think a lot to take in the the new chooks - two of which are crouching already and have got quite large wattles

 

Will post photo's later.

[Steve.]

Jezabel

 

Enid

 

and the youngest ... Delilah

 

Jezabel is totally stunning - the photo doesn't do her justice.

 

Both Jezabel and Enid are crouching. Delilah crouches a little bit.

 

I don't think they are 18 weeks old somehow!

[Egluntyne]

They are stunners. Great names too. Delilah looks a bit younger.

[Scottie]

They look absolutely beautiful! I love it when the black feathers take on a petrel colour.

 

Sheila

[karlotta]

Whereabouts did you get them from Steve? They are gorgeous!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

What gorgeous girls . The photos do indeed do them justice - they're beautiful .

[Seagazer]

Beautiful girls

[Steve.]

Whereabouts did you get them from Steve? They are gorgeous!

 

We got them from SPR (Southern Pullet Rearers) - http://www.sprcentre.co.uk/poultryhouses.htm - they were £7.90 each and they had the chooks available with little notice.

 

I don't know much about chickens, but they are very calm and have a good nature.

 

Although only had them for a day they come over for a stroke and a cuddle. They've even given my wife the confidence to handle the other chooks.

 

They have beautiful green/purple feathers in the sunlight - I'm quite gobsmacked.

 

They are freeranging at the moment with the other chooks. Other chooks are destroying some bark chippings, the new chooks are checking out the Eglu and run.

[Steve.]

They had a 3+ hour freerange and only a few altercations.

 

A couple balancing on my tail and claws out situation between Geraldine (bottom of pecking order of existing flock) and Enid. I don't think any permanent damage done. Enid had a slight limp for a few mins, and Geraldine had to lay down for a while. I hope she hasn't broken an egg or anything ... she seems fine now ...

 

Some of the existing flock had the occasional pop at the new girls. I guess they are just enforcing the pecking order.

 

Probably won't get to free-range during the week.

 

What do I need to do next?

[Steve.]

 

A bit of a squeeze with three of them in there + dustbath + feed + drinker.

 

And ideas what else I can pop in there for them to play with?

 

Plus ... any help on the above post?

 

Many thanks

[Snowy]

Just keep doing what you are doing Steve - you have to let them spend time together to integrate them, but also be there to break it up when things get hairy or the young ones need to have a break for food and water. You could try putting just one of the big girls in with the youngsters, or the 3 youngsters and 2 of the oldies in the cube with 3 oldies in the new pen - break them up and mix them up as much as possible

[Steve.]

Just keep doing what you are doing Steve - you have to let them spend time together to integrate them, but also be there to break it up when things get hairy or the young ones need to have a break for food and water. You could try putting just one of the big girls in with the youngsters, or the 3 youngsters and 2 of the oldies in the cube with 3 oldies in the new pen - break them up and mix them up as much as possible

 

So if 2 of my oldies lays, pop them in the pen with the others? Although the oldies are just past point of lay themselves

 

Would I need to supervise 100% of the time with this mix and matching ( I think the answer is yes? ).

 

Many thanks!

[Snowy]

Just see how they go Steve, if you are worried they are going to be too aggresive, then yes do supervise. There is always going to be some pecking, but the amount varies depending on the hens involved - try the most docile ones in with the newbies first.

[Steve.]

Just see how they go Steve, if you are worried they are going to be too aggresive, then yes do supervise. There is always going to be some pecking, but the amount varies depending on the hens involved - try the most docile ones in with the newbies first.

 

I gathered today from the behaviours that were exhibited today by the chooks towards me and each other that there is safety in numbers?

 

Is this the theory relating to the suggestion above?

 

Oh - and thank you for your thoughts and reassurance.